A 40-year Filipina domestic worker lost 20kg whilst working for a Singaporean couple who allegedly gave her instant noodles twice a day for more than a year.

Thelma Oyasan Gawidan weighed just 29kg when she managed to runaway from her employers living in Orchard Road condominium in April 2014. After enduring 15 months of hardship under the hands of Lim Choo Hong and wife Chong Sui Foon, Gawidan was finally able to escape and seek the help of HOME, a non-profit organization assisting migrant workers.

Lim Choo Hong, 47, is accused of violating Condition 1 in Part 1 of the Fourth Schedule to the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations 2012. On the other hand, Chong Sui Foon faces a count of condoning Lim to commit the crime.

According to Gawidan, she was only given instant noodles to consume twice a day for more than a year. She was given bread on some occasions. Even when she was out with the family,Gawidan would still eat instant noodles and bread packed by the couple.

An investigator in charge of the case told the court that Gawidan was only allowed to take showers once or twice a week in the condominium’s public toilet.

"When I am still hungry, I will ask for more ... sometimes she will give me more, but the next meal I will get less,” Gawidan told the court.

It was also revealed the couple forced Gawidan to work for more than 24 hours. Gawidan recalled how her former employers made her work from Monday 7pm until Wednesday without rest.

A month after starting to work for the couple, Gawidan stopped getting her period. In addition, the Pinay OFW experienced hair loss and felt weak in general as a result of the maltreatment.

Lim and Chong will serve up to 12 months in jail and/or pay a fine of up to $10,000 if proven guilty. - Mini/TheSummitExpress